Why Do We Have Local Government

Local Gov. created to provide services to meet peoples’ needs:-Streets and Roads-Senior’s Homes-Public Transit-Libraries-Animal Control-Parks and Recreation-Waste Disposal-Fire Protection-School Board Stuff

Create Laws: Local government makes rules called bylaws.-Government makes laws called bylaws-Rules that specify behavior-THEY KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND COMMUNITY RUNS SMOOTHLY!-Bylaws can only be enforced in areas where they have been passed-The laws usually require a fine

Taxes: Local gov. spend lots of money for services from taxes.-Revenue: is government income-Expenditure: is government spending-Collects for services-From landowners -Rentals of Equipment-From goods

Voices: -DemocracyLocal government gives people a voice in the community.-People in communities are best at issues concerning them-Many chances to participate in running of government-People elect their favorites-Easier to communicate with authority

Local Government OrganizationMunicipal Areas:

-Urban Local governments – Cities, towns, villages, etc –elected by voters-Rural Local governments – include MDs, counties - council elects councilor as chief electoral officer. - Reeve-First Nations reserves – Métis Settlements, -also have local governments, elected by voters

Elected Representatives:-Mayor for towns and cities-Reeve for smaller communities-Chief for First Nations reserves-Chairperson for Métis

Decision Making:-Mayors, Reeves, councilors elected by community and take part in council meetings

-Decisions about programs, bylaws, services, etc.-Leaders run meetings according to rules-Councils usually organize departments or committees responsible for services such as transportation, waste removal, parks and rec, etc.-Advisory committees

-Concerned citizens/members of government-Advise council

Delivering services:-Civil servants

-People hired to work in government ie: Swim lesson teachers, street sweeping, construction, driving buses, keeping records, etc

How are local Governments Elected?Election takes place every three years for representatives for local government

Qualifications to Run In The Election- 18 or older- a Canadian citizen- lived in the municipal for at least 6 months before the election

Terms:-Candidates- People running for a position-Ballot- A piece of paper you vote on-Nominated- When someone wants you to be in the election-Polling station-where you vote-Campaign committee-Supporters that help you get voted for -Municipal Offices- Where people decide if you can run in the election

-Municipal Area- The city limits-Local Election- an election for any local law position

How Can You Participate at the Local Level?All citizens can participate, however only those that meet criteria may vote or run in an election.

Petition:-Written request with signatures of supporters-Get signatures of supporters-Council may consider idea

Phone Call:-Call councilor -See if idea will be supported

Letters and Emails:- Send to Council or Reeve - Let them know your idea

Presentations, Charts and Pictures:- Put together a formal presentation- Council may think idea is good

Campaign:- Advertising or advocating for a nominee - Donate money, time, resources to a campaign- Raise Awareness of issues, ideas or opinions

Why do we have School BoardsSchool boards are another type of local government. Customize

education to meet local needs and follow provincial standards.

-School Board- makes sure education provided for people- make decisions about educational services

-Superintendent- hired - head of school board

- similar to CAO in local gov’t-make sure decisions carried out

-Trustees-elected every 3 years (Board of Trustees)- serves a school board

- makes rules & policies for schools- student transportation- listen to complaints- make sure provincial curriculum is taught - decide how is budget spent- listen to local needs

Many types of schools offered-public schools - separate schools (ie: Catholic)- Francophone school- Charter school- Private school- First Nations (Run by band)

Why do we need a provincial government?Take care of the people of Alberta and serve their interests.(stakeholders)

Provide Services:-Education

- Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs)- Budgets, - Special Needs Funding

- Certifies teachers-Tourism and parks-Agriculture and food-Sustainable resources-Aboriginal relations-Children’s services-Health and wellness

-Senior’s subsidies (monthly $)- Low Income support- Health Care

-Energy-Oil and gas

Laws-Created by MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly are elected representatives)- A law begins with a motion (suggestion) which is known as a bill

Process of how a bill becomes a law . . .

How Is the Provincial Government ElectedIn a provincial election candidates run for positions on the Legislative Assembly (MLA)

- 1 MLA for every voting district AKA constituencies (83 districts in AB)- 25 elector signatures to be a candidate. - Must be eligible voter to be a candidate.- Candidate usually represent one of Alberta’s political parties, but can run as an independent

-Political Party is organization of people with similar ideas about how to govern. Chief Electoral Officer

- head of Elections Alberta- ensure election runs fairly according to rules

Polling Station- Where you cast your ballot- Be a Canadian citizen- At least 18 years old- Live in Alberta for 6 months- Live in constituency where they want to vote

Role of Lieutenant GovernorCANADA is a Constitutional Monarchy:

-system of government which monarch, queen or king, head state- Prime Minister head government-The Queen’s representative in federal gov’t is Governor General.- The Queen’s representative in Alberta’s gov’t is Lieutenant Governor-

Duties of Lieutenant Governor:- must sign bill put forward by Legislative Assembly for it to become law

- all laws need to be approval of monarch- invites leader of party that wins the election to become Premiere- issuing royal proclamation calls the legislature into session- reads Speech from the Throne to open new Legislature into session

-Speech from the Throne: describes government plans during upcoming session - Dissolving/closing legislative assembly so election can be held-Queens representative federal government governor general

Alberta Government StructureTHE ALBERTA LEGISLATURE is made up of . . .

1) Lieutenant Governor: -Represents the queen

2) Premier: -Leader of the government

3) Cabinet: -Primer picks some MLAs to join the Cabinet- Cabinet members are known as Ministers-Responsible for departments.

-Minister of Education-Minister of Environment-Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry

- Minister Responsibilities: -Budget: Financial Plan- Meeting with premier to discus & plan & advise- Working with people in their department to create budget

4) Legislative Assembly (MLAs)-In charge of different departments that provide services.- MLA: Member of the Legislative Assembly - MLA’s have offices in their constituency.

-This is where constituents can go to discuss concerns to the MLA. -Responsibilities in two main areas:

-Serving the needs of the people in their constituency -Taking part in government

Participation at the Provincial LevelCitizens are able to participate in government

-Voting in elections -Influence Others-Voting In Referendums

-Referendum: a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct

-Expressing Opinions About Bills Bill: a proposed or suggested law

- Contacting MLA’s about concerns